William Dean Chocolates & Big Storm Brewery team up to create a chocolate beer

Public asked to name the Beer

People don’t always think of beer and chocolate paired together, but true beer fans who appreciate stouts and porters understand these flavorful ales and chocolate can be a match made in heaven. That is why Big Storm Brewery and William Dean Chocolates, the company that made the chocolates featured in the movie Hunger Games, are teaming up to create a specialty artisan brew.

Big Storm will release the beer on World Chocolate Day, Saturday October 28th in both the Pinellas and Pasco county taprooms.

William Dean and Big Storm are also challenging Tampa Bay to come up with a name for this artisan brew. People can come into the Big Storm taprooms to try the beer and get their creative juices flowing. Names can be submitted directly to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The winner and beer name will be revealed at Big Storm Brewery in Clearwater on Thursday, November 16th.

The person who is first to submit the winning name chosen for this new beer will receive a private 8-person Big Storm Brewery tour, a tap handle for the new beer, a 20-piece box of William Dean chocolates and a supply of the new Big Storm-William Dean beer.

Entrants must be 21 and up and names can be submitted until 10am on November 13th.

Described as a toffee chocolate stout, the beer was crafted to intrigue the palate and invoke thoughts of chocolate covered toffee. A true work of art made from the finest ingredients, this stout pours black with deep garnet highlights. Flavors of sweet toffee and caramelized sugar pair together with a hint of rich, indulgent chocolate.

“Like most endeavors, it takes some time and experimentation to find the right balance between flavors like chocolate and beer,” said Head Brewer Joel Moore from Big Storm Brewery. “Sometimes the most fun and challenging part is finding the perfect recipe for a new crafted ale.”

Bill Brown, Founder of William Dean Chocolates was intrigued when the subject first came up to use their product for beer brewing.

“The subtle nuances of chocolate are exciting for me,” said Brown. “While it took several attempts to get this chocolate stout just right, the final product is an excellent example of pairing great flavors together.”

Additionally, William Dean will soon be releasing a chocolate and macaroon made with Big Storm beers.

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